Carrollton approves purchase of city welcome sign near Prestonville bridge

Carrollton City Council members approved the replacement of a city sign during a special meeting Wednesday.

Council members decided to replace only one of the city's welcome signs during this fiscal year because of costs.

The City Council chose The Sign Shop of Carrollton to create a new sign near the Prestonville bridge to welcome visitors to the area.

Members approved the decision to purchase one sign, 4 to 1 with Councilman Mike Gordon opposing the motion. Robb Adams was absent from the meeting.

The City Council had looked at costs to replace the city signs near the Prestonville bridge and General Butler State Resort Park, but replacement of both signs would have been over budget for what the council allotted in the budget this year, Mayor Gene McMurry said.

"You're looking at better than $10,000 if you want to do two (signs)," he said.

The lowest estimate for two signs was more than $9,500. The council had approved $9,200 for the signs.

Estimates for the sign's concrete base and installation were around $800 to $1,000.

Council members decided after a discussion to replace the sign near the Prestonville bridge instead of the one near General Butler State Resort Park because the sign near General Butler was just refinished a couple of years ago.

A few council members didn't want to see the sign near the park replaced.

"To me, it's just a plain old sign," Councilwoman Tammy McBurney said of the new sign options. "The one at the park is unique."

McMurry noted the city could reuse the city's welcome sign elsewhere when the time comes to replace it. He suggested the sign be relocated to an area near the river where boating traffic could take time to look at the sign's details.

"I hate to see it destroyed," he said.

Council members decided the new sign near the Prestonville bridge will have a flat-top design, welcome visitors to Carrollton, and show the year the city was established.

Council members plan to make final decisions about sign colors during the next council meeting. McMurry also plans to have the price for just one sign at the council meeting.